What should a client receiving carbamazepine for 6 months have tested in their blood?

For a client receiving carbamazepine, it is essential to monitor serum sodium levels due to the risk of developing hyponatremia, which is a potential side effect of this medication. Carbamazepine can cause an increase in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion, leading to water retention and dilution of sodium in the blood. Monitoring serum sodium levels helps ensure that any significant changes can be detected early, allowing for timely intervention to avoid complications.

Monitoring cholesterol levels, thyroid function, and glucose levels, while important in many clinical contexts, is not specifically indicated as routine for clients on carbamazepine. Cholesterol levels are usually assessed for cardiovascular risk, thyroid function tests are more relevant for medications known to affect thyroid hormones, and glucose levels are monitored in the context of diabetes management or when certain medications are prescribed that impact glucose metabolism. Therefore, serum sodium is the most relevant parameter to check for clients on this medication.